Surname
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A hereditary name passed down through generations, distinguishing individuals within a community; while common in later ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean societies, the Hebrew Bible primarily identifies individuals by their given name and patronymic (son of X) rather than fixed family surnames.
What is the meaning of Surname in the Bible?
A hereditary name passed down through generations, distinguishing individuals within a community; while common in later ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean societies, the Hebrew Bible primarily identifies individuals by their given name and patronymic (son of X) rather than fixed family surnames.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the absence of fixed surnames in biblical times clarifies why characters are identified by their fathers' names, aiding in the accurate tracing of genealogies and tribal affiliations found in Scripture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Surname in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Surname clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.